Manhole-cover.



PATENTED MAY 29, 1906.

A. POTTER. MANHOLE COVER. APPLICATION FILED FEB.6,1905.

QXHXM mom ma UNITE STATES ALEXANDER POTTER, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY MANHOLE-COVER.

Specification of Letters Patentv Patented May 29, 1906.

Application filed February 6, 1905. Serial No 244,427.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER POTTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Manhole Covers or Lids and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain new and pgeful improvements in manhole covers or One of the objects of the invention is the provision of supporting means for positively securing filling means in the perforations or apertured portions of the cover.

A further object of the invention is to provide a removable plate secured to the under side of the cover for closing the perforation thereof, said plate also employed for positively retaining filling means in the perforations of the cover when said means is positioned thereon.

\Vith these and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of a manhole-cover constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a seetional view taken on line A B, Fig.' 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line A B, Fig. 1, showing another embodiment of the securing means for retaining the removable plate in position upon a cover. Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line A B, 1, showing another embodiment of the securing means for the plate. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of the cover, showing a means in side elevation forsecuring the plate to the cover as illustrated in Fig. 4.

All covers or lids for manholes must be perforated or provided with apertured portions to afford ventilation to the sewer but after connection is made with the dwelling or house itself these perforations or apertures in the manhole-cover are no longer necessary and are, in fact, a source of inconvenience, as it will be obvious that the perforations will let in rain, mud, and foreign substances into the sewer from the surfacelof the ground,

tions or apertured portions.

which may be very objectionable. Heretofore these perforations or apertured portions have been filled sometimes with metal plugs, molten lead, and other means; but owing to the tread of horses and weight of vehicles thereon these stoppers have worked loose and become removed from the cover. This invention primarily relates to supporting means for closing the perforations of the cover, as well as supporting the filling means, which may be positioned therein; secondarily, to means for removably securing the supporting means to the cover. The supporting means is preferably a plate or flat member, which may be constructed of metal or wood.

The whole intervening space between the plate and the lid proper, including the per forations or apertured portions, may be filled with cement or with a mixture of sulfur and sand or with molten lead or other material, or the plates may act only as a support for the filling means positioned within the perfora- As now commonly constructed these perforations in manhole-lids are of'varying dimensions throughout their lengths, the narrowest portion being at the upper surface of the cover and the Widest portion at the bottom, the form gen erally being that of a truncated cone with the base at the bottom of the lid. The purpose of this construction is to keep the holes free from any dirt or other foreign substances tending to lodge therein, and it is obvious that when the necessity arises to close same there is no support for any filling material. The object of my invention is the provision of supporting means for securing any filling material in the perforations of the cover.

Referring to the drawings by reference-numerals, 1 designates a manhole cover or lid, preferably circular in structure, but it may be of any desired shape without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The cover 1 is provided with perforations or apertured portions 2, as well as integral extensions 3. The perforations or apertured portions 2 are of varying dimensions throughout their lengths, the narrowest portion being at the upper surface of the cover and the widest portion at the bottom. By means of this structure of the perforated or apertured portions 2 it will be obvious that when filling means 2 is placed within and entirely closes the same said means forms a wedge-shaped member which cannot be forced outwardly. Suitable gripping means, pref- IOR IIO

erably movable hooks or links 4 4 ofthe ordinary type, are secured to the cover 1. Pro j ecting from the inner surface of the cover 1 and preferably square in shape is a reinforcing-rib 5. at its corners with extensions 5, which tend to preven't the breaking of the rib 5, as well as remforcing the corners thereof.

Numerous modes for securing plate 7 to the lid 1 may be employedsuch, for instance,

I constructed of metal and flat in shape, is positioned in the apertured portions 10 of the rib 5 for securing the plate 7 to lid 1. These bars or parallel members 1 1 are removably secured to the cover 1, thereby permitting the plate 7 to be detached from the cover 1 when desired.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 the plate 7 is supported against the under surface of the cover 1 by means of removable pins 12 being positioned in integral studs 13, projecting downwardly from lid 1. When employing this structure, it is necessary to form apertures in the plate 7, through which the studs 13 may be projected when the plate 7 is positioned against the under surface of the cover 1. After the plate 7 has been p0 sitioned as illustrated in Fig. 4 the pins 12 must be positioned within the apertures 14 of the studs 13 for securely retaining said plate in its adjusted position.

Owing to the beveling of the side 6 of the rib 5, as described, a socket is produced for receiving the supporting-plate 7. As hereinbefore stated, the plate 7 will close the perforations or apertured portions 2 when in its normal position upon the lid but for her-metically sealing the lid it is preferable to position filling means 2 within the perforations 2. The filling means may also fill any space between the plate 7 and the lid 1.

If filling means is positioned within the perforations or apertured portions 2, such means cannot become displaced by moving outwardly, owing to the peculiar construction of the apertured portions, and as the removable plate 7 prevents the same from be ing displaced inwardly the filling is securely retained in position.

While I have described in the foregoing de scription and illustrated in the accompanying drawings the preferred form of myinvention, it will be obvious to one versed in the art to which this invention relates that certain alterations, modifications, and changes The reinforcing-rib 5 is provided may be made, and I therefore reserve the right to make such alterations, modifications, and changes as shall fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an apertured cover, the combination of a substantially square, depending, reinforcing-rib, a removable member positioned within said rib and normally closing the apertures of the cover, and means for securing said removable member in its normal position between the inner sides of said rib.

2. The combination with an apertured cover, of a depending rib formed upon said cover providing a socket, a removable plate positioned between the sides of said rib and within the socket, and means engaging the lower surface of said plate for securing the same in a fixed position upon saidcover.

3. A cover, comprising a body portion provided with a beveled, bottom surface, a removable plate provided with an upper, beveled and a lower, fiat'surface engaging the beveled bottom surface of the cover, and means for securing said cover and plate in a fixed position.

4. A cover of the character described, comprising an apertured body portion, movable grip members carried by said body portion, a reinforcing-rib provided with beveled, inner surfaces formed upon the bottom of said body portion, the bottom surface of said body portionbeveled outwardly from the center, a removable member engaging the bottom surface of said body portion and the rib, said removable member provided with an upper surface and edges conforming to the construction of the bottom surface of the body and the inner surface of the rib.

5. A cover, comprising a body, provided with an aperture, beveled, reinforcing means secured to said body, a removable member engaging the beveled portion of said reinforcing means and closing said aperture, and

means for securing said member in a fixed position with said body portion.

6. A cover, comprising an apertured body portion, grip means secured to said body portion, reinforcing means provided with an inner, beveled surface secured to said body portion, a removable member provided with beveled edges engaging the inner, beveled surface of said reinforcing means, and means for securing said removable member in a fixed position with said body portion.

7. A cover, comprising a body portion, a-

depending portion secured to said body portion upon the inner face thereof, said depending portion provided with a beveled, inner surface, and a plate positioned between the dependin portion and engaging the beveled inner sur ace thereof.

8. A manhole-cover, comprising a body portion provided with an integral rib depending from the inner face thereof, a detachable .member positioned entirely within the ribbed ortion of said body, and means for securing said detachable member in a fixed position with said body.

9. A manhole-cover, comprising an apertured body provided with a ribbed, inner face, and means positioned entirely within the ribbed portion of said inner face for closing the aperture of said body.

10. A cover, comprising an apertured body I &

provided with a rib formed upon its inner surface, said body beveled between the ribbed portion thereof, and means provided with an upper, angular and a lower flat surface positioned between the ribbed portion of said body and closing the aperture of the same.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

ALEXANDER POTTER. Witnesses:

HUGO MooK, DAVID GoLDFoGLE 

